Travel diary
Shiny Japan 2005
Day five - August 11

Harajuku, Meiji-Jingu, Shinjuku East & West (i-Land tower)
On day five of my trip we haeaded to Harajuku, took a walk
over Takeshita-Dori with all its teen stores, mainly
fashion, and after we got a bit lost in the residential area
behind Takeshita-Dori we got to Omotesando. Well, we didn't
see quite much of Omotesando. After visiting some shoe
stores and clothes (my friend was rather fast at shopping,
so I was lucky ;)) it was time for the Meiji shrine.
Sometime I read that it is the most important Shinto shrine
Japan. I can't guarantee whether it is true or not since my
memory is not that good anymore due to my advanced stage of
age.

We somehow took a wrong exit and instead of giving Shibuya a
try we headed to Shinjuku which was nearer on foot.
Takashimaya and Tokyu hands had everything (material things)
to offer most people could wish (I don't talk about
expensive cars or luxurious apartments).

I think we spent about 15 minutes in Kabuki-Cho. Thereafter
in Shinjuku West we enjoyed the view from the top of one of
the Tokyo Metropolitan government tower which was for free.
It is a recommendation for all Tokyo visitors who would like
to save the money for the Tokyo Tower or don't have the time
to visit it. And they are higher than the red famous one
further east.

We asked a local in Tokyo whether she knows where the LOVE
sign in Shinjuku might be located but she couldn't help us.
My friend Serena could remember it was somewhere in her
Chinese guide, so we finally found it on the metro station
map in Tochoumae station. The i-Land tower was just a block
away... I never found it in a German guide (from DK etc.) so
I guess it is not that interesting for European foreigners.
We had dinner in one of the business towers which were quite
exclusive but not that expensive as I thought. Yaki-ebi was
good...

Our last station was OIOI City and Shibuya 109 near Shibuya
station. It was more for girls, so I tried to make the best
out of the situation and enjoyed the crowded and young
atmosphere over there.

We finally got back at around 22h in our hotels. Exhausted.